Wednesday, June 4

Eastern Mennonite High School, Harrisonburg, Virginia

We left EMHS on a Schrock Tours charter motor coach in the rain at 5:15 AM.  A truck and trailer brought our food and other supplies.  Principal J. David Yoder commissioned us the evening prior.  After a long day on the bus, we climbed the arch to see St. Louis at night.  Underneath the arch we toured the Museum of Westward Expansion.  We stayed in a St. Louis motel, then rose early the next morning to leave.

Thursday, June 5

Hartford, Illinois

We visited the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Illinois. This site highlights the beginning point for the journey with a visitor's center, a theater production, "A Journey's Edge," and a replica of the 55 foot keelboat.  Hartford is about 20 minutes north of St. Louis.  The Corps camped here during the winter of 1803-1804.  We jumped the gate and hiked down to see the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.

New Franklin, Missouri

We traveled east along the river towards the capital of Missouri, Jefferson City.  Set up camp for two nights at Katy Roundhouse Campground, New Franklin, northwest of Jefferson City.  First game of ultimate Frisbee and first singing around the campfire.

St. Louis, Missouri

We visited the Missouri History Museum and the archives, where we saw one of William Clark's field journals.  We listened to two excellent speakers talk about the Lewis and Clark journey.  They served us free pizza!

Friday, June 6

Katy State Trail, New Franklin, Missouri

Rented bicycles and rode along the Katy State Trail for several miles near Rocheport, Missouri.  Visited the Lewis and Clark cave along the way, and experienced the cliffs and river as the Corps of Discovery did almost 200 years ago.  Camped again at the Katy Roundhouse Campground, New Franklin.

Saturday, June 7

Inman, Kansas

We visited farmers and scientists in Kansas to study issues of sustainability, management, and the prairie.  Had the opportunity to use the Hesston College computer lab for journaling and internet work.  Visited the Kauffman Museum.  Spent the night camping on a farm near Inman, Kansas, where we watched the sunset and gazed at the stars.

Sunday, June 8

Fort Calhoun, Nebraska

Worship service.  Agricultural study day.  Traveled northeast and ate lunch at the Land Institute in Salina.  Met Wes Jackson, founder of the Land Institute.  Camped near Fort Calhoun, Nebraska.

Monday, June 9

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Met a resource person at Council Bluffs to learn about the first visit of the Lewis and Clark expedition with Indians.  Went to Lewis and Clark State Park in Iowa.  Met the ranger and visited replicas of boats they used.  Camped there that evening.

Tuesday, June 10

Sioux City, Iowa

We visited the Sioux City Interpretive Center, the Sergeant Floyd Welcome Center and Riverboat Museum, and the Sergeant Floyd Monument.  After the terrific storm from the previous night, we needed to do laundry.  We "camped" in Sioux City, at the very generous Briar Cliff University, who offered us their gym and locker rooms.

Wednesday, June 11

Pierre, South Dakota

Stopped at South Dakota Information Center on our way to Farm Island State Park near Pierre, South Dakota.  Saw our first bison.  A storm circled above while we hiked to the Missouri River.  After dinner we presented our PowerPoint presentations on the military and commercial character of the Corps of Discovery.

Thursday, June 12

Fort Mandan, North Dakota

We visited Fort Mandan replica, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Knife River Indian Villages.  Camped at Cross Ranch State Park near Washburn, ND.  Mrs. Gautcher helped us sketch the river in our journals.  Mr. Bowman got lost on his way back from the bathhouse at midnight.

Friday, June 13

Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, North Dakota

Traveled through and visited the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation with a Native American guide aboard our motor coach.  Saw elk and bison herds.  We visited the Three Tribes Museum in New Town and took a walking tour through the Four Bears Casino.  Camped at Lewis and Clark State Park.  Mr. Yoder and Mr. Blosser saw a marina for sale that they talked about purchasing for a distant EMHS research center.

Saturday, June 14

Fort Benton, Montana

Traveled west across Montana to Fort Benton, northeast of Great Falls.  Picked up free potatoes at a rest stop.  Stayed in a Fort Benton motel at night and prepared our gear for canoeing.  Joy, Maria and Philip Yoder joined the expedition for the canoe trip.

Sunday - Tuesday, June 15-17

Missouri River, Fort Benton, Montana

We took a three day canoe trip on the Missouri River.  We put in at Fort Benton and got out of the river at Judith Landing recreational site.  We were out of touch with civilization for three days.  Camped along the river, then traveled back to Great Falls for a motel Tuesday night.  Hole in the Wall Educational Adventures took us down the river (Terry Selph was our guide).

Wednesday, June 18

Great Falls, Montana

We slept in and ate a late breakfast at the Best Western in Great Falls.  The previous night we had a party for Mrs. Gautcher and Mrs. Diener who returned to Virginia.  We visited the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Great Falls and saw several of the Falls themselves.  Traveled to Missoula and slept in Garden City Community Church.

Thursday, June 19

Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, Idaho

Left early to attend the Fifth Annual Lewis and Clark Symposium at Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, Idaho.  Theme is "Two Centuries, Two Peoples: A Confluence of Histories."  The Symposium focused on arts, culture, and language.  The Conference began at noon on Thursday and ended after lunch on Saturday.  Stayed at Hells Gate State Park.  Went to a pow-wow at Lapwai, Idaho.

Saturday, June 21

Lewis and Clark State Park, Walla Walla, Washington

Traveled to and camped at Lewis and Clark State Park near Walla Walla, Washington.  It was a cold and windy Saturday night.

Sunday, June 22

Yakama, Washington

After a worship service we drove to Ice Harbor Lock and Dam for a tour.  We camped in teepees at the Yakama Nation RV Park near Toppenish, WA.

Monday, June 23

White Salmon River, Oregon

In the morning we toured the Yakama Heritage Center.  Then we traveled to the Condit Dam on the White Salmon River.  Stayed at Portland Mennonite Church.

Tuesday, June 24

Astoria, Oregon

Ended up at Fort Clatsop, Astoria, Oregon, where Lewis and Clark camped through the winter of 1805-1806.  Watched the sunset over the Pacific Ocean and celebrated reaching the westernmost point of the Lewis and Clark expedition.  Camped at Fort Stevens State Park.

Wednesday, June 25

Boise, Idaho

By around 10 AM, we began the homeward journey.  Stayed at Hyde Park Mennonite Church in Boise, Idaho.

Thursday, June 26

Yellowstone National Park, Boise, Idaho

Traveled through Yellowstone National Park.  Met with Buffalo Field Campaign, a Park Representative and a local rancher.  Visited Old Faithful and Mammoth Springs.  Saw lots of wildlife.  Camped a Madison and Grant campsites in Yellowstone.

Saturday, June 28

Devil's Tower, Wyoming

We learned about Devil's Tower National Indian Monument, Devil's Tower, Wyoming.  Met with two park rangers.  Camped near the Tower.

Sunday, June 29

St. Louis, Missouri

After a morning worship service, we left Devil's Tower, and traveled all day and night to St. Louis.  We stayed at a Best Western Motel and shared our summary essays with the rest of the group.  We reviewed the trip and our discoveries in the Garden Room.  Watched the St. Louis Cardinals lose to the San Francisco Giants, 5-1.

Tuesday, July 1

Returning to Harrisonburg, Virginia

Traveled from St. Louis to Harrisonburg, arriving home Tuesday evening.  Left at 4:00 AM.  Met parents and friends in the parking lot at EMHS.